Camera advice

I am in need of a new "universal service digital camera" since mine gave up the ghost during a recent trip to France.
It needs to be rugged (since I would always carry it with me), give decent quality pictures (for investigation purposes) and not too bulky since it would need to fit either in the bike's glove compartment or in backpack. I've taken a look at low-end professional cameras but, apart from not being able to make the best use of them, they are way too bulky to fit the bill.
I am also ready to consider a digital video camera, if there are any capable of taking single shots and not too bulky.
Given the fact that many of you are well versed in the art of photographic investigation I am turning to you all for advice.
Thanks!

__________________

"Louhi spoke in riddled tones of three things to achieve: find and catch the Devil's Moose and bring it here to me. Seize the Stallion born of Fire, harness the Golden Horse. He captured and bound the Moose, he tamed the Golden Horse. Still there remained one final task: hunt for the Bird from the Stream of Death"

If DSLRs are too bulky, you could look at the Olympus E-P1. It is a compact sized camera but with exchangeable lenses. It has DSLR-like performance, setting it apart from other compacts. It is not ruggedised - only professional cameras are and they are heavy, bulky and very expensive. It is certainly worth considering. Otherwise you might consider a superzoom, like the Fuji Finepix series.

Slightly off-topic I know but, I'm a big fan of wearable, 'bullet' video camera systems. You can strap one to the side of your head for a first person fiming perspective and just leave it running whilst conducting the vigil/investigation.

I've used one whilst potholing.

They're very flexible as you can mount them practically anywhere and will connect up to a wide variety of recording devices with the appropriate inputs, such as MP4 players.

Thanks for the tips, you are truly kind.
My old camera was exactly a Fuji Finepix and it lived through almost five years of the worst abuses without flinching. It may not have been ruggedised but it was surely very sturdy.
I'll have a look at their present line and see if they have something that suits my needs, otherwise I'll shop around for an EP-1.

In Distortion We Trust

__________________

"Louhi spoke in riddled tones of three things to achieve: find and catch the Devil's Moose and bring it here to me. Seize the Stallion born of Fire, harness the Golden Horse. He captured and bound the Moose, he tamed the Golden Horse. Still there remained one final task: hunt for the Bird from the Stream of Death"

Just letting you know in the end I bought a Fujifil Finepix: local shop had a good deal so I took it up. I am still learning to use the thing though...
Thanks to 'shopper for the tip!

In Distortion We Trust

__________________

"Louhi spoke in riddled tones of three things to achieve: find and catch the Devil's Moose and bring it here to me. Seize the Stallion born of Fire, harness the Golden Horse. He captured and bound the Moose, he tamed the Golden Horse. Still there remained one final task: hunt for the Bird from the Stream of Death"

If you're happy with a slim-line single channel camera, have a look at the S.WILL cameras. I did a lot of research on dashcams it was definitely worth it.

I've got mine hooked into a dual battery system so it's constantly recording, but they come shipped with a standard 12v lighter plug so it's easy to install on standard vehicle. The image quality you get from them is second to none. Full HD, good wide angle (easy to read license tags), GPS overlay, good software etc.

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